Sound reproducing means and method



Dec. 20, 1932.

R. T. FRIEBUS SOUND REPRODUGING MEANS AND METHOD 7 Filed Sept. 25, 1929IIHHHHH INVENTQR REGINALD T FRIEBU Patented Dec. 20, 1932 1TB!) STATES-PATENT OFFICE REGINALD T. FRIEBUS, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TOCOLUMBIA PHONO- GRAPH COMPANY, INC., 01? BBID'GEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK SOUND REPRODUCING MEANS AND METHOD Applicationfiled September 25, 1929. Serial No. 394,998.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means andmethods of reproducing recorded matter, as for example, sound orpictures, and relates particularly to improvements in and the carryingforward of, the invention disclosed in my application Serial Number364,897, filed May 21, 1929.

An object of the invention is to reproduce from a record without havingthe means tak-' ing the recorded subject from the record come intocontact with the record.

A further object of the invention is to provide a'means for reproducingfrom an opaque disc record, the means not contacting with the recordduring the reproducing operation.

An additional object is to provide means for reproducing from a discrecord, the means including means for directing light onto the recordand including a complementary means for collecting desired light beamsreflected by the record and converting them into sound or pictures, asthe case may be.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reproducing mechanismincluding means for directing light rays onto a record having a recordgroove therein, means adapted to collect reflected light rays from thegroove of the record, and means to guide the reflected light raycollecting means to maintain it properly positioned relative to therecord groove.

An additional object is to provide a method of reproducing from anopaque disc record by reflection.

Other and additional objects and advantages will be apparent from aconsideration ofthe following detailed description taken in principle ofthe invention and are not to be construed as limiting it, since manychanges in the construction combination and arrangement of parts may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe appended claims to which reference must be had for a definition ofthe limitations of the invention.

- In the drawing:

Fig. l is a top plan view showing the application of the invention, partof the turntable and record being broken away; and

1 Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, partly in section;

Referring in detail to the drawing, at 5 is shown a turntable of any orthe usual construction mounted on a shaft or spindle 6, driven by anysuitable means (not shown). Disposed on the turntable 5 is a record 7,part of the record and part of the turntable being omitted in order thatthe drawing may be made on a larger scale.

It is apparent that the turntable 5 is mounted above a motor board 8.Arranged on the motor board in the rear of the turntable is a bearing 9,in which is ournaled a supporting member 10, inclining upwardly and'forwardly as shown and to the upper forward end of which is pivotallyattached as at 11, a tubular arm or support, 12.

A head-piece 13 comprising a globular portion 14 and angularly disposedneck portions 15 and 16 is secured to the forward end of the arm 12 asby telescoping the neck portion 15 into the forward end of the arm.Within the neck portion 15 is a supporting piece 17 receiving the shankor stem 18 of a light sensitive means as for example the photo-electriccell 19. Within the neck portion 16 is a lens system comprising lenses20, 21, and 22.

Secured to the forward side of the depending neck portion 16 is a tubeor housing 23 within which is disposed a pin 24 maintained in a positionslightly projecting from the housing 23 as by a light coil spring 25.This pin 24 is preferably of soft metal and provided with a roundedpoint to ride in the groove of the record.

p In the operation of the device the pin projects from the housing 23and rides in a record groove, the housing itself riding on the surfaceof the record, the spring 25 not being strong enough to lift the end ofthe reproducer or pick up and elevate the lower end of the tube orhousing 23 ofi the record.

The relation of the lens system and the tracker pin 24 is such that thelens system is exactly centered over a groove when the pin 24 is in thesame groove or an approximately adjacent groove. From this it will beseen that the pin and associated parts serve to maintain the lens systemat the right hel ht and in the proper alignment with the spiral grc 1 onthe record.

Light, from a suitable source 26, is thrown 0 do the record at such anangle that reflected l ght rays will be taken up by the lens system andtransmitted to the photo-electric cell 19. From the photo-electric cell,wires 27 lead to a suitable amplifying arrangement or system indicatedat 28 and connected by wires 29 to any loud speaker 30.

The device as described and illustrated is particularly adapted for usewith so-called hill and dale records. This is true since the recordin insuch records is in the bottom of the record groove and not on the sidewalls as in the case of laterally cut records. Therefore the light anddark spots which will be picked up by the lens system occupy a moreuniform position relatively. The same principle applies, however, to alaterally cut record; the necessary changes being that pin 24 would bepivoted to swing in exactly the same manner as the standard phonographneedle now swings and would be held by a light spring to bring it backto center in the same manner that the diaphragm in the sound box of astandard acoustic reproducer brings the needle back to center.Similarly, the inertia of the tone arm or supporting arm 12 would reactagainst the swing and the lens system remains centered over the propergroove.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction and operation ofthe device will be clear. However, it is desired to emphasize the factthat the invention is useful in the reproducing of record pictures aswell as re corded sound. Of course in the use of the device forreproducing pictures, a scanning wheel and projection screen would beused as disclosed in a separate application.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a machinefor reproducing recorded matter, in combination, a record having arecord groove therein, means for throwing a beam of light onto saidrecord, a lens system positioned to receive reflected light rays fromsaid record, a light sensitive cell positioned to receive light rayspassing through said lens system, means co-operating with the recordgroove of said record and guiding the lens system with respect to saidgroove, and said means comprising a soft metal pin having a roundedpoint operating in said groove.

2. In a machine for reproducing recorded matter, in combination, arecord having a record groove therein, means for throwing a beam oflight onto said record, a lens system positioned to receive reflectedlight rays from said record, a light sensitive cell positioned toreceive light rays passing through said lens system, means co-operatingwith the record groove of said record and guiding the lens system withrespect to said groove, and said means comprising a spring pressed pinoperating in said groove.

3. In a machine for reproducing recorded matter, in combination, arecord having a record 'roove therein, means for throwing a beam 0%light onto said record, a lens system positioned to receive reflectedlight rays from said record, a light sensitive cell positioned toreceive light rays passing through said lens system, means forco-operating with the record groove of said record and guiding the lenssystem with respect to said groove, said co-operating means comprising ahousing adapted to ride on the surface of the record, and a springpressed pin projecting from the housing and operating in the recordgroove.

4. In a machine for reproducing recorded matter, in combination, arecord having a record groove therein, means for throwing a beam oflight onto said record, a lens system positioned to receive reflectedlight rays from said record. a light sensitive cell positioned toreceive light rays passing through said lens system, means co-operatingwith the record groove of said record and guiding the lens system withrespect to said groove, said co-operating means comprising a housingrigid with the lens system and adapted to ride on the record surface,and a spring pressed pin projecting from the housing and operating inthe record groove.

Signed at New York, in the county and State of New York, this 30th dayof August.

REGINALD T. FRIEBUS.

